Nicolas Jackson found the back of the net twice as Senegal started their quest for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations glory with a comfortable 3-0 win over Botswana at Stade Ibn Batouta in Tanger on Tuesday, Afrosport reports.
The Teranga Lions were crowned champions in 2019 but failed to live up to those heights at the 2021 and 2023 AFCON tournaments.
They are still considered favourites for the ongoing tournament in Morocco and were ahead after 40 minutes thanks to a clinical finish by Jackson from close range. The Bayern Munich star, on loan from Chelsea, completed his brace in the 58th minute after receiving a pass from Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr and put the ball beyond Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.
Jackson was taken off in the 78th minute, and his replacement, Cherif Ndiaye, put the final nail in the coffin in the 90th minute, with the assist from Cheikh Sabaly.
FULL-TIME! 🇸🇳🇧🇼
What a start for Senegal. A dominant 3-0 win over Botswana! 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/XFf44MpnXi
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 23, 2025
The victory gives Pape Thiaw’s men early command of Group D, with a crunch clash against DR Congo next.
